Mikey Racciato is ready to go crazy on the mats at the University of Pittsburgh.

Donnie Hawk has taken his offensive playbook to rival Bangor.

But Pen Argyl is not ready to part with the label of defending champion.

The two-time defending District 11 Class 2A kingpin Green Knights are going to be contenders again.

The seniors, including the threesome of Mike DePaolo, Nick Oyer (No. 8 at left) and Ryan Lobb, who have played to varying degrees since they were freshmen, have a 33-6 record the last three seasons.

“From a confidence level playing against the teams we've played against,” coach Paul Reduzzi said, “that's an extra nine games on the field. That's an extra season of football, whether it was running the scout team or on the field in games. That's a real benefit.

“They are end-of-the-year seniors now.”

Lobb is expected to be Racciato's replacement in the offensive backfield and will return to his outside linebacker spot where he is among the league's best tacklers.

DePaolo will be the league's most versatile fullback and a four-year starter at linebacker. Oyer will be all over the field at all times, using his athleticism and instincts to make plays.

Brady Mutton, Zak Ruppert and David Reyes will anchor the offensive line. Daniel Yeisley and Keenan Schoenenberger should fill in the other spots.

Dajon Oglesby could be a big body who is a big help to both sides of the line if he can work his way into the system.

Alex Bartleson should start at tight end and defensive end.

Chris Muller, Josh Salamone, Derek Nied and Logan Ruppert will be skill player contributors on both sides of the ball.

Ryan Hunt will be at quarterback and free safety.

With assistant (and former head coach) Roy Cortez back calling the offensive plays, the Pen Argyl offense will be different --- though not radically so, according to Reduzzi.

“The change in systems will benefit in that it will be a more basic set that Roy runs,” Reduzzi said. “Certain things we want Nicky (Oyer) to run at QB, but Ryan is the QB.

“The system is simpler in terms of terminology. It's based on good fundamentals. Roy’s stuff is conventional, stuff he ran before here.”

DePaolo will punt and Jacob Krincek should be the one handling the kicking chores.

Mark Gentile (DL), Krincek (LB) and Cori Unger (LB) should see time to varying degrees, depending on their development.

Vinnie Andrews, who previously served under Rob Melosky at Nazareth, joins the Pen Argyl coaching staff and is working with Cortez on offense.

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Morning Call Sports Reporters Stephen Miller and Tom Housenick blog about high school and college sports action on and off the field in and around the Lehigh Valley, only at themorningcall.com.

Meet the bloggers

TOM HOUSENICK watches every move Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum makes on the court, laughs at every joke by Lafayette coach Fran O’Hanlon and watches all the Divisions II and III coaches and players do it for the love of the game. Basketball makes the cold weather season go by fast. Already can’t wait for late February and early March when each possession could result in a season ending or continuing on.

Wrapping up his ninth year at The Morning Call, STEPHEN MILLER is back for year No. 4 on the LVC football beat. He chronicled Central Catholic's state-championship run in 2010, watched Nazareth win its first LVC title in 2011 and saw the league crown tri-champions for the first time in 2012. He has also covered the Phillies, college football and a variety of prep sports while with The Morning Call. To stay updated on the 2013 LVC football season, check out the Varsity blog and follow him on Twitter @mcall_smiller.